A family that lost their mother to a distracted driver is lobbying for a law holding people responsible for not paying attention to the road.

Phillip Reu said he lost his wife, Heather, to a car crash two years ago while she was training for a triathlon.

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Reu said Heather had left their home on her bike and never made it back. Ever since then, he's been looking after his four adopted children alone.

Reu blames his wife's death on a distracted driver.

"There's still lots of pain, both emotional and all sorts of stuff to deal with, but, you know, I've survived and the kids have survived," Reu said.

Police said the crash happened on Paeo Del Volcan near the Double Eagle Airport.

Investigators said Heather Reu was hit by driver Daniel Gomez-Rubio. Officers said Gomez-Rubio was reaching for a cellphone when he crossed into the bike line and struck the 42-year-old mother.

Gomez-Rubio was found guilty of leaving the scene but a grand jury couldn't find the driver's actions met the definition of "reckless driving."

"It's a very high hurtle to meet. Basically, you have to be drunk or on drugs or do something so egregiously wrong," Phillip Reu said.

The distraught father is now lobbying to get Gomez-Rubio's actions considered illegal. He's working with the Duke City Wheelmen Foundation to change state laws so distracted drivers face more serious consequences for their actions.

Reu admits the change will be tough for drivers.

"Even now, you know, when the phone rings I have the impulse to reach in my pocket (and) pull it out. I just have to remind myself all the time it's just not that important," Reu said.

The foundation hopes the bill will be heard in the 2012 session after a failed attempt to pass it last year.

Rubio's three-year sentence was reduced to 18 months followed by another year and a-half of probation.